SYDNEY – The state of South Australia officially inaugurated a facility housing a 100-megawatt lithium ion battery, considered the world’s largest, which will provide a revolutionary production and supply of renewable energy.

The facility, built by the US firm Tesla, is connected to a French company Neoen’s wind farm in Hornsdale Power Reserve, located more than 200 kilometers (124 miles) north of Adelaide.

“South Australia is now leading the world in dispatchable renewable energy, delivered to homes and businesses 24/7,” the state’s Premier Jay Weatherill said in a statement.

The installation, also inaugurated by Neoen deputy CEO Romain Desrousseaux, has begun distributing energy to the national energy market.

Weatherill underlined that the project was completed in 63 days, well ahead of the deadline proposed by Tesla head Elon Musk, who had promised to complete it in 100 days or to do it for free.

In March, the South Australia government announced a AU$500-million ($379 million) power plan, which included the construction of a gas power plant and installation of the battery.

South Australia has faced an energy supply crisis which caused a major outage during the summer, prompting energy market regulators to offer incentives for people to reduce consumption during peak usage times.

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